Significant Fine and Reparation Order For Exploitative Employer

Yao Wen Jiang, a company director, was fined $20,100 in Wellington District Court today for offences against immigration legislation relating to exploitation of unlawful workers. 

Mr Jiang was also ordered to pay $16,121 reparation.

Mr Jiang pleaded guilty to charges of exploitation under the Immigration Act for being in serious breach of the Minimum Wage Act 1983 in respect of three employees who he knew to be unlawful.

Peter Elms, General Manager of Immigration New Zealand’s Intelligence, Risk and Integrity division, says that the judge in Mr Jiang’s case has sent a strong message to employers that exploitation of workers will not be tolerated, even if those workers happen to be unlawfully in New Zealand.

“When we talk about labour exploitation, we are talking about the most serious breaches of employment rights.  All workers - whether they are lawfully in New Zealand or not - are entitled to the protection of the law.  The fine and reparation order imposed on Mr Jiang shows just how seriously we take these types of offences.  Employers have no excuse for failing to comply with the law,” says Mr Elms.

ENDS

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